Jerusalem: Demonstration in support of Netanyahu

About 100 people demonstrate in support of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu outside his Jerusalem residence.

Hezki Baruch, 18/02/18 02:20

Protest in support of Netanyahu

Ben Hadad

About 100 people took part on Saturday evening in a demonstration in support of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu outside his Jerusalem residence.

Likud Youth chairman David Shain, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said, "We all felt it was important to come here to embrace the prime minister and to express our support for him despite the rain. We are here to say to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu – go forward, the people behind you."

The demonstration was attended by Likud MKs Amir Ohana and Nava Boker, as well as citizens from all over the country. Despite the weather, buses with young Likud activists and concerned citizens from all over the country left the city centers and headed to the protest.

"No incitement and no weather will move us from the truth - the Likud government was elected by the people and only they have the right to deprive the Likud of it. Despite the well-funded campaign of defamation, we support the prime minister's innocence and stand by his important work for the people of Israel," added Shain.

Last Tuesday, investigators announced that they had collected sufficient evidence to charged Netanyahu with taking bribes and breach of trust over his alleged receipt of some one million shekels ($283,000) in gifts from wealthy businessmen, and charges of collusion with a newspaper publisher to grant political favors in exchange for more sympathetic coverage.

The prime minister dismissed the announcement, maintaining his innocence and brushing off demands he either resign as premier or hand over state affairs to an acting Prime Minister for a leave of absence until the attorney general makes a decision on the recommendations.

On Friday, some 2,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv to demand Netanyahu resign following the police recommendations.